Friday, June 20, 2003
GAME 24: ANGELS (3), RED SOX (5)

As you know by now, the final game didn't go our way and the Angels ended the season in second place. Guess we can all agree it was nice to have a team in the division that really represented a challenge and our pairings became eagerly anticipated by many, including those from other teams, for that very reason....

BASEBALL LINGO
can of corn -- An easy catch by a fielder.
chin music -- A pitch that is high and inside.
on the screws -- When a batter hits the ball hard. Also "on the button." shoestring catch -- A running catch made just above the fielder's shoetops.
twin killing -- A double play.
whiff or punchout-- Strikeout.
yakker -- Curve ball.

BASEBALL FACTS
Average life span of a baseball in the majors: 7 pitches

In 1945, the Washington Senators used one-legged pitcher Bert Shepard as a reliever. He pitched 5 and 1/3 innings and gave up just one earned run. This was his only Major League Appearance.

The youngest player to ever play the game was Joe Nuxhall who at 15 years of age in 1944 pitched 2/3 of an inning for the Reds. He walked 5 hitters and gave up two hits for a total of 5 runs. He retired from the Majors just before Opening Day 1967.